Career
A native of Belfast, MacAirt first became involved in Irish republicanism as a boy when he joined the Fianna Éireann. His first imprisonment was in 1942 when the youthful MacAirt was sent to jail for illegal drilling. MacAirt was later interned during the Irish Republican Army"s Border Campaign of 1956-1962.
In August 1970 MacAirt was appointed editor of the Belfast-based Republican News, succeeding Jimmy Steele who had died soon after being appointed editors
Despite his advancing age MacAirt also became involved in the gun battles that raged between the republicans from Falls and loyalists from the neighbouring Shankill Road. As a consequence MacAirt became one of the leaders of the nascent PIRA in Belfast.
MacAirt was publicly named as a leading republican by General Anthony Farrar-Hockley who had commanded the British Army present during the clashes and with whom MacAirt had held failed negotiations at the scene of conflict. He served as Adjutant to Billy McKee, who was first commander of the Provisional Ireland Republican Army Belfast Brigade.
According to Brendan Hughes MacAirt"s Kane Street home doubled as Belfast Brigade headquarters at this early stage in the movement"s history.
On 15 April 1971 MacAirt, along with Billy McKee, was arrested by the British Army when found in possession of a hand gun. Both men were sentenced under the Explosive Substances Acting 1883 and sent to Crumlin Road Gaol. In the prison the two men were recognised as the leaders of the republican prisoners, a role held by Gusty Spence on the loyalist side.
MacAirt and McKee co-operated informally with Spence to maintain order until they agreed to establish an official Camp Council.
Whilst the talks produced little MacAirt was one of those who maintained contact with the clergymen. Although a new generation of leaders emerged in the PIRA and Sinn Féin MacAirt remained an influential veteran.
He was close to Danny Morrison and Tom Hartley and helped to ensure the removal of Seán Caughey from the editorship of Republican News in 1975 and his replacement by Morrison. MacAirt died in 1992 at the age of 70.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams delivered the graveside oration at his funeral, describing him as "a radical in the Connolly tradition".